Steeplechase jockey Carl Rafter passes his hand over his horse's right ear before a race for good luck. (Skip Dickstein/Times Union)

Steeplechase jockey Carl Rafter passes his hand over his horse's right ear before a race for good luck. (Skip Dickstein/Times Union)

Photo: Skip Dickstein

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Jockey Maylan Studart is religious as well as superstitious and always wears a Star of David in addition to the Greek eye to ward off evil. If she's on a winning streak, she wears the same riding clothes each day without washing them. She puts her right boot on first. If she forgets and puts the left one on first, she takes it off and starts again. (Skip Dickstein/Times Union) less

Jockey Maylan Studart is religious as well as superstitious and always wears a Star of David in addition to the Greek eye to ward off evil. If she's on a winning streak, she wears the same riding clothes each ... more

Photo: Skip Dickstein

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Angel Cordero Jr., former jockey and Horse Racing Hall of Fame member,says when he was riding well, he felt no superstition. But even the man known for 13 straight riding titles and as the king of Saratoga, had a slump from time to time. "If I wasn?t having a good day I turned my undershirt around, or I switched pants or socks," Cordero said. (Skip Dickstein/Times Union) less

Angel Cordero Jr., former jockey and Horse Racing Hall of Fame member,says when he was riding well, he felt no superstition. But even the man known for 13 straight riding titles and as the king of Saratoga, had ... more

Photo: Skip Dickstein

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Eddy Brown, assistant clerk of scales, talks about his superstitions in the jockeys' room at the Saratoga Race Course. (Skip Dickstein/Times Union)

Eddy Brown, assistant clerk of scales, talks about his superstitions in the jockeys' room at the Saratoga Race Course. (Skip Dickstein/Times Union)

Photo: Skip Dickstein

Taking on triskaidekaphobia

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SARATOGA SPRINGS -- Ramon Dominguez always puts his right foot on the floor first when he gets out of bed. Maylan Studart wears an evil eye amulet. Jerry Bailey always pulled on his left boot first when dressing for a race.

Jockeys are a superstitious type, but it doesn't mean the riders in the jockey colony at Saratoga Race Course will call in sick on Friday the 13th.

"When I saw I would be riding on the 13th I did stop and think. It's a funny day. I'll just be extra cautious and hope God keeps me safe," Studart said.

Riding thoroughbred racehorses for a living is a dangerous vocation, and jockeys rely on faith and hope for luck while racing. Studart is religious as well as superstitious and always wears a Star of David in addition to the Greek eye to ward off evil. If she's on a winning streak, she wears the same riding clothes each day without washing them. She puts her right boot on first. If she forgets and puts the left one on first, she takes it off and starts again.

But that doesn't mean he's immune to it. When he was riding well, he felt no superstition. But even the man known for 13 straight riding titles and as the king of Saratoga, had a slump from time to time.

"If I wasn't having a good day I turned my undershirt around, or I switched pants or socks," Cordero said.

Eddie Brown, the assistant clerk of scales and a former jockey valet reminded Cordero of his other complaint -- when he lost he claimed his hat was on crooked.

The men reminisced about jockeys and trainers they've known. The late trainer Angel Penna Sr. hated to be told "good luck," so when Cordero rode past him, he would turn his head and wish him luck.

Trainer Jim Bond is identifiable by his blue jacket. The late jockey Don MacBeth always wanted his left boot cleaned first, and it was a job Brown did.

"I'd tell him, 'it's a good thing I'm not superstitious and think it has to be the right foot, or we would be here all day,'" Brown said.

The New York Racing Association is making the most of this summer's only Friday the 13th with a Halloween-themed day, including a track side costume parade for children, trick-or-treating and a reenactment of Michael Jackson's "Thriller" dance on the track apron.

According to Donald Dossey, a historian and author of "Holiday Folklore, Phobias and Fun," businesses lose an estimated $800 million to $900 million when the 13th falls on a Friday because people won't fly or go about normal business.

Dossey estimates 17 million to 21 million people in the U.S. are afflicted with triskaidekaphobia -- fear of Friday the 13th.

Religious beliefs, habits and superstition blend in the jockey colony.

Dominguez, last year's riding champion, said he changes whips if he's in a slump. When he leaves the jockey's room for a race, he says a prayer. John Velazquez said he has no superstitions, he leaves his fate in the hands of God.

Carl Rafter, smoking a last cigarette before the first race of the day Thursday, gestured toward his shiny boots.

A new pair of boots has to "hit the ground on someone else's feet," the jockey said. Rafter rides in often perilous steeplechase races. Before a race begins, if he thinks of it, Rafter said he passes his hand over his mount's right ear as both horse and man stare down the first fence.

Leigh Hornbeck can be reached at 454-5352 or by e-mail at lhornbeck@timesunion.com.